Looking for a good quest adventure with monsters

A farm boy with a sword

"A band of heroes with unique talents or just a main adventurer (who isn't a wizard) face monsters and trap-laden dungeons on a quest to obtain a magical artifact."

This type of novel, one that is well written with good characters, is surprisingly hard to find! Most fantasy these days seems to be more about war and politics annd have no fun Ogres or Hydra or Mummies, etc. I don't like much of that in my fantasy books. I've read the Prydain series, LOTR, and Kings of the Wyld recently. Tried Swords and Deviltry, but couldn't get into it unfortunately. Bonus points if it has the sort of badass wit of Kings of the Wyld, but not a requirement.

Really appreciate whatever help you can give. It's been a long search...

Journeyed there and back again

"A band of heroes with unique talents or just a main adventurer (who isn't a wizard) face monsters and trap-laden dungeons on a quest to obtain a magical artifact."

This type of novel, one that is well written with good characters, is surprisingly hard to find! Most fantasy these days seems to be more about war and politics annd have no fun Ogres or Hydra or Mummies, etc. I don't like much of that in my fantasy books. I've read the Prydain series, LOTR, and Kings of the Wyld recently. Tried Swords and Deviltry, but couldn't get into it unfortunately. Bonus points if it has the sort of badass wit of Kings of the Wyld, but not a requirement.

Really appreciate whatever help you can give. It's been a long search...

I can think of books with some of those elements but all of them together is a toughie. I’m not sure this is what you’re looking for but the only book I can think of wirh a 1. group 2. on a quest 3.without war 4. and no politics 5. and a badass 6. who isn’t a wizard 7 that has weird creatures 8. and well written is
Stephen King’s 7 book series The Dark Tower.

Owns a Ring of Power

my most favourit novel in this catergory would be Malus Darkblade novels... they are awesome and have all what you need.. plots... adventures.. actions.. magic.. mystries.. worth your time from book 1 to book 7

Journeyed there and back again

I thought there were a lot of thoughtful and good suggestions here but you did not comment on any of them until asking another question just now. Did you look into any of them? Did they not meet enough of your specifications? If so, why not?

If your main criteria is a monster “The Lost Island” by Preston and Child takes a page right out of Homers “The Odyssey”.

A farm boy with a sword

Sorry didn't know I had to reply to each response. I've heard good things about Riyria so that one caught my eye the most. I just can't find a clear answer on whether or not there are fantasy monsters in it.

Journeyed there and back again

Sorry didn't know I had to reply to each response. I've heard good things about Riyria so that one caught my eye the most. I just can't find a clear answer on whether or not there are fantasy monsters in it.

Journeyed there and back again

I am currently reading Kings of the Wyld (almost done) and will say this for some of the recommendations I have seen here and read or listened to.

Dark Tower, Goblin Quest, and Discworld stuff really doesn't come close to Kings of the Wyld. That isn't to say they are bad but if you are looking for something close to KotW these aren't it IMO. I think Kings of the Wyld is a great book by the way, ending pending.